Case Open: Why is the press avoiding the Weekly Standard's intelligence scoop?

Slate ^ | 11/18/03 | Jack Shafer

[Starboard]

IF it had been a memo that pointed a guilty finger at President Bush it would be all over all the main network TV channels, CNN, and all the front pages of all the newspapers.....

Exactly. In the same vein, there's precious little coverage of the documentation that's available regarding the Dem strategies to exploit the resources of the Intel Committee as well as their blatently political machinations to manipulate the judicial nomination process. There's plenty of fodder in both cases to implicate the Dems of nefarious behavior.

[BlackRazor]

"Some more reporters should have been mentioning the memo, if only to question its legitimacy."

At least one publication has done just that:

http://www.mediainfo.com/editorandpublisher/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2030480

[Terriergal]

The press experienced such a tabby moment this week following the publication of Stephen F. Hayes' cover story in the most recent Weekly Standard about alleged links between Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden.

The press has already said that Bush lied about that. End of story. So I guess that means there is no connection! /sarcasm

[Terriergal]

Dem strategies to exploit the resources of the Intel Committee as well as their blatently political machinations to manipulate the judicial nomination process. There's plenty of fodder in both cases to implicate the Dems of nefarious behavior.

I too am astounded at the voluntary blindness of the media there. It's looking more and more like a true VLWC.

[Coop]

But the press is all over Bush when it looks like he may have compromised a CIA agent. Sheesh.

Nothing at all points to the President's involvement. Frankly, that would be completely out of character for him.

[Coop]

The link you provide is less than impressive. That author used one sentence, out of context, from the DoD press release to pound on conservative news outlets.

[Peach]

Good clarification. The press has tried to tie the leak to the administration, not Bush directly.

He would NEVER do such a thing as he has too much principle and respect for the men and women who protect us.

[BlackRazor]

The link you provide is less than impressive. That author used one sentence, out of context, from the DoD press release to pound on conservative news outlets.

Oh, I never said that it was. I was merely pointing out that some were trying to debunk the Weekly Standard article.

[Gothmog]

Thanks for the link.

"By Seth Porges

"NEW YORK -- Several newspapers and other media outlets had egg on their face Monday after reporting or endorsing a Weekly Standard story revealing new evidence of an 'operational relationship' between Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden.

"Several outlets, including the New York Post, The Washington Times and FOX News, ran with the story. There was just one problem: On Saturday, the Pentagon issued a press release stating that 'news reports that the Defense Department recently confirmed new information with respect to contacts between al-Qaida and Iraq ... are inaccurate.'

"Despite this, the New York Post on Monday titled its editorial on the subject: 'Bush Was Right.'"

I am interested in why the DoD was so quick with their weasely-worded statement and am wondering why no reporters have called the CIA and asked them to debunk it. The left seems very anxious to keep this quiet.

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - LIBERAL, ARROGANT MEDIA ALERT!

[Coop]

Oh, I never said that it was.

Right. My comment was directed at the author, not you. :-)

[ellery]

btttt

[JustPiper]

Because it shows the Dims for who they truly are and being of Stepford mentality it is not permissable to do that!